TWO of Dingle's longest serving firefighters were joined by colleagues at Dingle Fire Station to wish them well as they retired after a combined 62 years of dedicated service.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Michael O'Flynn of Kerry Fire and Rescue Service joined current members of Dingle's fire service – Normán Ó Conchúir, Joe Lynch, Jim MacCarthy, Alan Flannery, Artie Hand, acting sub-station officer Denis Murphy, acting station officer Brendan Ferriter and new members John O'Sullivan and Sandra Farrell – in celebrating the fire-fighting careers of Michael Nelligan and Jimmy Bambury who are hanging up their boots this month.

Michael joined Dingle Fire Brigade on March 7, 1980 and, after 34 years of service, is one of the longest serving firefighters in the county.

Jimmy Bambury, who joined the Fire Brigade on January 21, 1986, recalls fondly the many years spent with the service.

"There is no doubt, I will miss it," said Jimmy.

"I started out with good people - Michael Nelligan, who is also retiring, and the likes of Tadhg Lynch, Michael 'Bruiser' Begley, Pat Moriarty, John Joe Murphy, Eony O'Flaherty and Walter Sheehy to mention a few. We learned a lot from them."

"It is a difficult job and we trained hard to make sure we were ready to act when we were called upon. There were tough nights and good nights, big jobs and small job but we always did our best."

"We have a great station here and Dingle Fire Brigade has been a steady constant in people's lives over the years. There is no doubt that we are leaving the service in good and safe hands," he said.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Michael O'Flynn of Kerry Fire and Rescue Service also paid tribute to Jimmy, who retires on March 28, and Michael, who retired on March 10, presenting them with bronze statuettes in recognition of their many years of service.

"Michael and Jimmy have played a crucial role over the years and we wish them well on their retirement following years of dedicated service," he said.

Michael also welcomed Dingle Fire Brigade's newest recruits, John O'Sullivan from Ballinasaig and Killarney native Sandra Farrell who is married to Patrick Farrell from Green Street and who is making a bit of history herself as Dingle Fire Brigade's first female firefighter.